asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Government intend to retain GCE A-levels; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are firmly committed to retaining A-levels and to strengthening them where possible. To this end, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have invited Dr. Gordon Higginson, vice-chancellor of the university of Southampton, to chair a small independent committee with the following terms of reference.

"In the light of the Government's commitment to retain general certificate of education advanced level examinations as an essential means for setting standards of excellence, and with the aim of maintaining or improving the present character and rigorous standards of these examinations:

• —to recommend the principles that should govern GCE A-level syllabuses and their assessment, so that consistency in the essential content and the assessment of subjects is secured:
• —to set out a plan of action for the subsequent detailed professional work required to give effect to these recommendations."

	'Elsewhere' Rate of Grant (£)	Real value in percentage terms (September 1962 = 100) deflated by increases in—				London Rate of Grant (£)	Real value in percentage terms (September 1962 =100) deflated by increases in—
		(a) Retail Prices	(b) Average Earnings	(c) Rents	(d) Book Prices		(a) Retail Prices	(b) Average Earnings	(c) Rents	(d) Book Prices
1962–63	320	100	100	100	100	330	100	100	100	100
1963–64	320	98	93	95	96	330	98	93	95	96
1964–65	320	94	86	91	92	330	94	86	91	92
1965–66	340	95	86	91	92	370	101	90	96	97
1966–67	340	92	80	86	89	370	97	85	91	94
1967–68	340	91	78	79	82	370	96	82	84	87
1968–69	360	91	76	81	82	395	97	81	86	87
1969–70	360	86	71	76	77	395	92	75	80	82
1970–71	380	85	66	74	75	420	91	71	79	80
1971–72	430	88	67	77	74	465	92	71	81	77
1972–73	445	85	62	71	71	480	88	65	74	75
1973–74	485	85	59	71	71	520	88	61	73	74
1974–75	605	90	62	83	69	665	96	66	89	74
1975–76	740	87	60	89	71	810	92	63	95	75
1976–77	875	90	62	91	72	955	95	65	97	77
1977–78	1,010	90	66	95	69	1,145	99	73	104	76
1978–79	1,100	91	63	94	69	1,315	105	73	109	80
1979–80	1,245	88	62	92	67	1,485	102	71	106	78
1980–81	1,430	88	58	81	65	1,695	101	67	93	75
1981–82	1,535	84	56	69	62	1,825	97	64	80	71
1982–83	1,595	82	53	66	55	1,900	94	62	77	64
1983–84	1,660	81	51	65	48	1,975	93	59	75	56
1984–85	1,775	83	52	65	47	2,100	95	60	75	53
1985–86	1,830	80	149	63	43	2,165	92	156	72	50
1986–87	1,901	81	47	64	43	2,246	93	54	74	50
2 Adjusted
1984–85		80	50	63	45		92	58	73	52
1985–86		77	147	61	42		89	155	70	48
1986–87		78	46	61	42		90	53	71	48

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1962 (a) the value of student grants inside and outside London, (b) the real value when compared with the rise in retail prices (c) the real value when compared with the rise in rents/ accommodation costs (d) the real value when compared with the rise in average earnings, (e) the total value of student grants as a percentage of gross domestic product and (f) the real value when compared with the increase in book prices, all indexed using 1962 as a base.

The information with the exception of item(e) is as follows. I shall reply to the hon. Member regarding (e) as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what his Department has spent on (a) computer hardware and (b) computer software for each year since 1984; and what is the projected expenditure for 1987.

For the year 1985–86, expenditure on hardware was approximately £1,107,000 and on software £336,000. For the year 1986–87, the expected expenditure on hardware will be approximately £1,007,000 and on software £226,000. Expenditure in 1987–88 is expected to be of the same order.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to which firms his Department has awarded contracts for computer hardware for each year since 1984; and what was the value of each contract.

Contracts in excess of £10,000 were awarded to the following firms. It is not possible for reasons of commercial confidentiality to provide details of the value of each contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to consider the recommendations made by the Select Committee on Education about provision for the under-fives in its report entitled "Achievement in Primary Schools"; what discussions he has arranged on such matters; whether he intends to publish a consultative document; when he expects to make decisions regarding provision for the under-fives; and if he will make a statement.

The Government intend to respond to the Select Committee's report within the normal time scale for such responses.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing for each local education authority in January 1986 the number of pupils at special schools and the percentage of the total school population in such schools; what information is available on the numbers of pupils at special schools with statements under the Education Act 1981; and if he will make a statement.

The number and percentage of the total school population, excluding independent schools, who are in special schools, for each local education authority in January 1986, are given in the table. The annual return of pupils in special schools does not distinguish pupils who have statements under the Education Act 1981 from other pupils.

	Number of pupils in special schools1	Number of pupils2 in primary, middle, secondary & special schools	Percentage
Barking	243	24,601	0·99
Barnet	437	40,668	1·07
Bexley	370	33,247	1·11
Brent	492	35,113	1·40
Bromley	478	37,924	1·26
Croydon	573	44,069	1·30
Ealing	580	38,051	1·52
Enfield	473	39,648	1·19
Haringey	381	27,123	1·40
Harrow	264	26,877	0·98
Havering	428	37,972	1·13
Hillingdon	498	34,054	1·46
Hounslow	577	32,329	1·78
Kingston Upon Thames	267	17,975	1·49
Merton	310	22,486	1·38
Newham	605	36,518	1·66
Redbridge	455	30,688	1·48
Richmond Upon Thames	172	16,712	10·3
Sutton	294	22,440	1·31
Waltham Forest	896	32,725	2·74
Birmingham	2,983	173,992	1·71
Coventry	921	50,563	1·82
Dudley	642	48,127	1·33
Sandwell	876	52,656	1·66
Solihull	386	35,320	1·09
Walsall	675	49,600	1·36
Wolverhampton	574	44,198	1·30
Knowsley	566	29,933	1·89
Liverpool	1,797	83,105	2·16
St. Helens	499	33,548	1·49
Sefton	667	47,959	1·39
Wirral	886	54,092	1·64
Bolton	584	46,225	1·26
Bury	274	27,521	1·00
Manchester	1,824	72,251	2·52
Oldham	680	39,465	1·72
Rochdale	590	36,658	1·61
Salford	844	38,767	2·18
Stockport	783	45,148	1·73
Tameside	356	36,970	0·96
Trafford	417	30,527	1·37
Wigan	780	55,249	1·41
Barnsley	331	37,920	0·87
Doncaster	994	51,717	1·92
Rotherham	629	45,610	1·38
Sheffield	1,096	79,219	1·38
Bradford	1,214	84,492	1·44
Calderdale	356	33,185	1·07
Kirklees	678	66,128	1·03
Leeds	2,016	113,267	1·78
Wakefield	771	52,168	1·48
Gateshead	541	32,400	1·67
Newcastle Upon Tyne	944	40,570	2·33
North Tyneside	557	32,105	1·73
South Tyneside	321	25,207	1·27
Sunderland	759	52,754	1·44
Isles of Scilly	0	278	0·00

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing for each local education authority and each year since 1981 the numbers of statements made under the Education Act 1981.

The information in the following table is based on returns submitted annually by local education authorities in England since the Education Act 1981 came fully into force on 1 April 1983. Figures from the returns made in January 1987 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to his Department on budgeted and outturn expenditure by local education authorities on children with special needs in recent years; if he will publish a table showing relevant expenditure by each local education authority in the latest year; and if he will make a statement.

Local education authorities make an annual return of expenditure and income to the Department of the Environment and my Department and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy have access to the figures. CIPFA also collect budgeted figures from local authorities. The latest information is contained in columns 153 to 194 of "Education Statistics 1986–87 Estimates" published by CIPFA, a copy of which is in the Library. The information covers special schools but not special classes in primary and secondary schools. This information is not available centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the grants available from the European Economic Community to fund academic research in the United Kingdom; and what has been the total amount received by the United Kingdom institutions in each year since the inception of these schemes.

The European Economic Community promotes research and development through direct action (in community laboratories), indirect, shared-cost action (involving contracts to enterprises and research institutes) and concerted action (involving the co-ordination of national programmes). Where appropriate, United Kingdom academic institutions can apply for indirect action contracts, and in some cases for funds for concerted action. Discussions are in progress concerning the budget for the framework programme for EC research and technological development for 1987–1991.

European Economic Community: Principal Indirect and Concerted Action Programmes
Industrial Programmes	Period	Budget mecu
ESPRIT (European Strategic Programme for Research and Development in Information Technology	1984–1988	750
RACE (Research and Development in Advanced Communications Technologies in Europe)	1985–86 (definition phase)	20
BRITE (Basic Research in Industrial Technologies for Europe)	1985–1988	125
Biotechnology	1985–1989	55
Advanced Materials and Raw Materials	1986–1989	70
Technical Reference Standards	1983–1987	25
Energy Related Programmes
Non-nuclear energy	1985–1988	175
Nuclear fusion2 partly funded by Euratom	1985–1989	690
Nuclear fission2 partly funded by Euratom	1984–1987	477
Health Programmes
3rd Medical and Public Health Programme1	1982–1986	14
Radiation protection1	1985–1989	58
Environmental Programmes
Environmental Protection	1986–1990	55
Climatology and natural hazards	1986–1990	18
Management and storage of radioactive waste	1985–1989	62

Industrial Programmes	Period	Budget mecu
Major technological hazards	1986–1990	3
Agricultural Programmes1
Energy in Agriculture	1984–1985	8·5
Land use and water management	1984–1988	3·5
Mediterranean Agriculture	1984–1988	9
Other less favoured regions	1984–1988	0·5
Agro-food	1984–1988	2
Animal husbandry	1984–1986	3
Plant productivity	1984–1988	3·5
Other Programmes
Stimulation Programme	1985–1988	60
Science and Technology for Development	1983–1986	40
1 These programmes partly or wholly involve funding for concerted action.
2 These programmes are only partly indirect action.

UK academic institutions may also be eligible for certain other EEC grants for example, from the regional and social funds.Information about the total amount of EEC research grants awarded to UK academic institutions is not readily available. The Department will be undertaking a special exercise to bring this information together. A substantial amount of work will be involved but the results should be available later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will publish the report of Her Majesty's inspectors which was completed in 1985 on Sheffield education.

My right hon. Friend received last week the report by Her Majesty's inspectors on educational provision in the metropolitan district of Sheffield, and will publish it. There is as yet no firm publication date. The report is based on Her Majesty's inspectors inspection of maintained schools and educational institutions within the Sheffield local education authority between 1983 and 1985.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the Medical Research Council has been notified of or is funding any research project, either current or proposed, into genetic disease which necessitates the use of the living human embryo.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mr. Galley) on 24 February.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he intends to take steps to encourage and enable colleges of further education to become involved in the new job training scheme, either as managing agents or as providers of training; and what resources will be available for the financial year 1987–88 to enable colleges to contribute effectively to the scheme.

The Government recognise that colleges of further education are experienced and expert providers of education and training. They will have an important role in the new job training scheme. A number of colleges have already been involved in the pilot scheme, both as providers and as managing agents. Their prime role will be as providers where they will need to demonstrate the value of their courses to local JTS managing agents, and to negotiate appropriate fees. Where they act as managing agents themselves, they will receive a fixed amount per trainee from the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for running and funding the JTS.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment has been made as to whether blood sampling in school science lessons carries any risk of transmitting the AIDS virus; and if he will make a statement.

There is no evidence that the AIDS virus has been transmitted through the use of blood for teaching purposes in schools or colleges. However, the accidental inoculation of infected blood may result in the transmission of infections such as HIV and hepatitis B. Individuals may not be aware that they are infected, nor may the school or college know; therefore it is my right hon. Friend's view that, in the interests of safety, students or staff should not give blood or cell samples for class use in school or for non-advanced further education work in colleges.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) to which firms his Department has awarded contracts for computer hardware for each year since 1984; and what was the value of each contract;(2) what his Department has spent on

I shall reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the light of recent developments in the racing industry, he will set up an inquiry into bookmaking finances.

No. The Office of Fair Trading is looking at certain aspects of the bookmaking industry in response to representations made about the introduction of satellite television in licensed betting offices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to increasing the establishment of the Greater Manchester police.

The Greater Manchester police authority is responsible for determining the police establishment of the force, subject to my right hon. Friend's approval. A total of 208 additional police posts have been approved for the force since May 1979, and the existing police establishment is 6,943. The strength of the force on 31 January 1987 was 6,747, an increase of 307 since May 1979, and I understand that the police authority expects the force to reach its full police establishment during the next financial year (1987–88). The force also has a civilianisation programme, which should release police officers for operational duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to stage a regional civil defence exercise in 1987 along the lines of those held in Home Office regions 6 and 10 in 1986.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the date and time at which Metropolitan police officers arrived in Glasgow in connection with inquiries into the BBC series "The Secret Society" and as to when he decided to seek the co-operation of the Scottish authorities in procuring a search warrant for BBC Glasgow.

Metropolitan police officers arrived in Glasgow in connection with their inquiries into the BBC series "The Secret Society" at 10.15 am on 30 January 1987. They had decided to seek the assistance of Scottish authorities in procuring a search warrant for the BBC offices in Glasgow the previous day. This decision was entirely for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were tried for murder in each of the years from 1957 to 1986; and how many of these in each year were acquitted.

The information requested is given in the table. These figures are published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" (for 1957–63 in table III, for 1964–75 in table I1(a), for 1976–79 in table 5(a) and for 1980–85 in table 2.2A of the supplementary tables). Information for 1986 is not yet available.

Defendants tried for murder 1957–1985
Year	Total for trial	Acquitted of murder
1957	74	11
1958	61	14
1959	74	6
1960	86	20
1961	88	19
1962	66	15
1963	65	11
1964	80	23
1965	81	17
1966	106	27
1967	90	18
1968	100	22
1969	117	29
1970	115	13
1971	127	24
1972	109	20
1973	135	38
1974	144	28
1975	145	30

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about improvements in reception of independent local radio.

I have informed the Independent Broadcasting Authority that the Government will consider sympathetically proposals to improve reception on MF or VHF/FM in particular localities within existing independent radio coverage areas. Approval of power increases or the construction of additional transmitters will be subject to national and international clearance by the Department of Trade and Industry for frequency planning purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Green Paper on radio.

I have today presented to Parliament a Green Paper setting out the choices and opportunities which the Government see for the development of radio services in the United Kingdom. The options discussed in the Green Paper are in tune with the Government's general approach of encouraging the stimulus of competition, the broadening of consumer choice and the lightening of regulatory burdens while at the same time preserving standards. The Green Paper envisages the possible development of new national commercial services and of community stations to take their place side by side with existing independent local radio stations, all with more freedom to meet their audiences' tastes and preferences.We are not proposing to proceed with the recommendations of the Peacock committee that BBC Radios 1 and 2 should be privatised.I very much hope that the Green Paper will stimulate a lively debate and that ordinary listeners in all parts of the country will respond to our request for views and comments.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department has spent on (a) computer hardware and (b) computer software for each year since 1984; and what is the projected expenditure for 1987.

In 1985–86, expenditure in the Department of Transport on computer hardware was £9·5 million and on software £2·1 million. In 1986–87 the figures are expected to be £9·5 million and £1·6 million. For 1987–88, the projected expenditure is £9·8 million and £1·6 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport to which firms his Department has awarded contracts for computer hardware for each year since 1984; and what was the value of each contract.

The following firms have been awarded contracts for computer hardware valued at more than £10,000 by the Department of Transport in 1985–86 and 1986–87.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with the consultations and statutory procedures in connection with the new all-purpose dual carriageway on the line of the A12 Hackney Wick to M11 link road; when he expects work to commence; and if he will make a statement.

The road's centre-line was fixed last October. New draft orders have been published, and are open to objection until 6 March, for revised layouts at the two intermediate interchanges. Local public exhibitions are being held to explain them. There will almost certainly be a further public inquiry. Further progress will depend on the satisfactory completion of these procedures and those which will follow in respect of land acquisition. Work should start by mid-1990.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will deposit in the Library, tables showing, in cash prices, the outturn figures for transport supplementary grant to each local authority, for every financial year from 1974–75.

Tables showing the transport supplementary grant paid to each authority from its introduction in 1975–76 have been deposited in the Library.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received representations about limiting the over-production of cereals in Britain and the European Economic Community through a policy of taxing or controlling the use of nitrogen; and if he will make a statement.

We have received a number of letters suggesting the imposition of some form of tax, levy or quota on the use of nitrogenous fertiliser. However, we have concluded that such matters would be neither efficient nor effective as a means of reducing the production of cereals and other agricultural produce in surplus. They would operate indiscriminately against crops not in surplus, would be costly to administer and could put at risk the viability of many farms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in favour of a European Economic Community funded outgoers scheme for the United Kingdom hop industry; and if he will make a statement.

The National Farmers Union sent me a copy of its proposals for a European Community-funded outgoers scheme for hop growers. We have received nine letters on behalf of growers in favour of such a scheme.Our officials have discussed these proposals with the NFU and other interests. We do not think that the proposals would be cost-effective and I understand that the European Commission has rejected them on the grounds of cost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the supplementary meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 23 February.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Torridge and Devon, West (Sir P. Mills).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the Council of Fisheries Ministers on 23 February.

Largely as a result of the success of the United Kingdom presidency in completing all outstanding fisheries business by the end of the year, the Council meeting arranged for 23 February, like that provisionally arranged for 12 January, was cancelled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is able to announce the guaranteed price for wool for the 1987 clip; and if he will make a statement.

Together with the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, I have received the state of the wool market and prospects for the 1987 clip.The prices achieved by the British Wool Marketing Board for United Kingdom wool improved during 1986, but since average auction prices did not rise above the guarantee level of 129p/kg Exchequer advances continued to be necessary. The deficit in the board's stabilisation fund has continued to rise and is currently at £19·3 million. Accordingly, my colleagues and I had to consider seriously whether the guarantee should be cut. However, we are mindful of the need to encourage the continued improvement in quality of British wool, a growing proportion of which is exported. Furthermore, current wool prices are significantly higher than a year ago, stock levels are low and the Wool Board has reported markedly improved prospects both in the demand for and in the price of British wool. My colleagues and I have therefore decided to maintain the price guarantee for the 1987 wool clip at 129p/kg.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has decided upon the charges to be made for certain plant health services; and if he will make a statement.

We have now reached decisions about the charges to be made for certain plant health work from 1 April. An order introducing these charges will be laid before Parliament shortly.We are imposing charges for only part of our plant health work: export certification and import licensing. These are two areas where services are provided at the specific request of individual growers and traders. The majority of our plant health work, including particularly the normal checks on imported material and work on controlling outbreaks of plant pests and diseases, will continue to be carried out at public expense. The import licensing charges relate only to those cases where special arrangements are made to licence imports which would normally be prohibited but which are permitted under certain strict conditions.The basic charge for calling out an inspector to a grower's or trader's premises for export certification purposes will be £28. This charge will cover a limited amount of inspection work. There will be additional, lower charges for inspection and other services not covered by the basic charge and special rates for services which do not involve a visit. Import licences for commercial and scientific purposes will cost £150 each, with further charges for extra inspections and other services not covered by the initial licence fee. Import licences for private individuals will cost £25.In setting the new charges we have taken very careful account of the comments we received on the proposals which we circulated last September. We have made a number of changes in our proposals in order to meet the points put to us. In particular, in the light of the representations we received, the charging arrangements will allow seven small consignments to be certified, at the pre-export inspection stage, for the price of one. This should significantly alleviate the situation of the many small exporters who wrote to us expressing their concern about the possible impact of the original proposals. In addition, half price services will be available (up to a full cost value of £500 per year) for firms not registered for VAT or with an export turnover of under £5,000 in the previous financial year. The arrangements will also allow two small fields to be soil sampled for the price of one.In addition officials are urgently considering with the interests concerned the possibility of introducing alternative statutory controls in place of the existing import licensing arrangements for chrysanthemum cuttings from Malta and the Canaries and for certain ornamental nursery stock from New Zealand. This would mean that the importers concerned would not need import licences. Also we are discussing with the industry interests the possibility of developing a new approval scheme for nurseries. Such a scheme would enable growers whose premises were approved under the scheme to attach a MAFF plant health logo to material which had been passed for export at growing season inspections but which in the event was sold on the home market. It should also be possible to develop from such a scheme arrangements under which approved nurseries would not be subject to such intensive pre-export checks and could thus incur lower export charges.I believe that the new charges represent a fair and reasonable approach to recouping the cost of these plant health export and import services.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to his answer of 4 December, to the hon. Member for Scarborough (Sir M. Shaw), Official Report, column 788, what arrangements have been made to penalise overfishing under the common fisheries policy in the European Community.

The amendment to article 10(4) of the Control Regulation (EEC) No. 2057/82 agreed at the Fisheries Council on 5 November 1986 empowered the Commission to close a fishery when a total allowable catch has been exhausted even when one or more member states had still to fish their national quotas. In addition, provision was made for the first time to compensate those member states which suffered prejudice as a result of such a closure at the expense of the member state (or states) which had overfished their quotas of that particular stock. A Commission regulation 493/87 dated 18 February 1987 which provides the detailed rules for determining the nature and extent of the compensation has now been adopted with the approval of the Management Committee for Fishery Resources.I believe that this is a practical and sensible regulation which gives member states and the Commission the flexibility to respond quickly in cases of overfishing and further strengthens the control arrangements of the common fisheries policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the criteria are for deciding who should receive meat and butter under the European Economic Community food aid scheme.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 February 1987]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 12 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations were held with voluntary groups before the distribution of butter and meat in the United Kingdom under the European Economic Community food aid scheme was announced.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 February 1987]: I held meetings with charitable organisations on 20 and 22 January before releases started on 23 January.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what amount of meat and butter has been distributed in Ryedale under the European Economic Community food aid scheme;(2) what proportion of meat and butter available for distribution under the European Economic Community food aid scheme has been distributed in rural areas.

[pursuant to his reply, 24 February 1987]: I do not have figures of distributions in particular geographical areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the future role of the National Housing Forum, recently formed by local authorities and others.

The Government have noted the creation of the National Housing Forum and are following its evolution with interest. It is too soon yet to form a judgment on the likely value of its contribution to the development of housing policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to provide for the payment to objectors at public inquiries of their reasonable costs on the issue of a certificate that the issues in question raise matters of sufficient public interest, and that where the objectors proposals are accepted by the Secretary of State that the objectors costs should automatically be met in full.

The Government's response to the fifth report from the Environment Committee, Session 1985–86, (Cmnd. 53) set out in paragraphs 63–65 our reasons for concluding against any form of public funding for objectors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount of interest paid by local authorities on loans for housing purposes in each of the financial years, 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1985–86, respectively.

The total amount of interest on loans debited to the housing revenue accounts of local authorities, as reported by the authorities, was as follows:

Year	£ million
1983–84	2,327
1984–85	2,417
1985–86	2,583

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimate of the cost of paying transferable discounts to tenants with charitable housing associations in the latest two years for which figures are available.

Transferable discounts cost £3·45 million in 1984–85 and £33·99 million in 1985–86.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment to which firms his Department has awarded contracts for computer hardware for each year since 1984; and what was the value of each contract.

For reasons of commercial confidentiality it is not possible to provide information in the form and level and detail requested by my hon. Friend.The Department has awarded contracts for computer hardware to a number of firms and the following lists indicate where contract values have exceeded £10,000:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many outstanding claims for housing renovation grants are now held by each of the local authorities in England; and what is the projected cost of such claims.

The information requested is not available to the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the present levels of domestic and business rates in the city of Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

The 1986–87 general (business) rate in the city of Liverpool is 308·36p. The domestic rate is 289·86p. Decisions about the local rate for 1987–88 are for the city council. Subject to the enactment of the Local Government Finance Bill in its present form, the joint authorities for police, fire and civil defence and transport must set their precepts within limits requiring cuts on 1986–87 precepts of 3·8 per cent. 5·4 per cent. and 36·5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will report progress on the Government's anti-litter campaign.

A report on the progress of UK2000 is given in my answer to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on Wednesday 4 February at column 721.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were employed within his Department, including regional offices and branches on the latest date for which figures are available; and what were the figures for 1976.

On 1 January 1987, the Department of the Environment (central) employed 6,439 staff. On 1 April 1976, the Department employed 28,559 staff. This figure included approximately 14,000 staff working on transport matters who formed the separate Department of Transport in September 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money was spent on home improvement grants last year; and what plans he has to increase the amount available to first-time buyers.

We estimate that local authorities spent £444 million on grants last year. We are encouraging authorities to direct grants where they are most needed and substantial numbers of grants already go to first-time buyers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest position regarding urban regeneration grant.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Lawler) on 26 January at column 49.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each six-month period since 1 January 1982 and for the latest available period (a) how much underused public land was on the land registers, (b) how much land was added to the registers, (c) how much land was removed from the registers, divided between the amounts sold, the amounts brought back into use and the amounts removed in other ways, (d) how many notices he issued under section 99 of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 and how much land was involved and (e) how many directions he issued under section 98 of the 1980 Act and how much land was involved.

I will answer this question shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to amend the regulations governing the issuing of local authority mortgages under the right-to-buy legislation in order to allow discretion to an authority to take a previous history of rent arrears into account before granting a mortgage; and if he will make a statement.

No. Such a discretion would be open to abuse. A landlord may already, however, refuse to complete a sale under the right to buy to a tenant who has fallen a month behind with the rent and is still in arrears.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a statement on the possibility of the introduction of a national membership card scheme for football supporters, following his meeting with the Football League and the Football Association on 23 February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will report on the meeting of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Tracey) with representatives of the Football League to discuss membership cards; and if he will make a statement.

Together with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office I discussed further initiatives to improve crowd control at football matches with representatives of the Football League, the Football Association and police authorities on 23 February. These discussions produced the following new measures:

The League will ask all clubs to submit detailed local plans for dealing with the management and control of their home and away supporters. These plans will be produced by the end of the current season and will be drawn up in consultation with the local police, local British Transport Police, the local authority, and other relevant organisations such as local coach operators and recognised supporters clubs.

The League, with advice and support from the Association of Chief Police Officers, will ask all clubs to develop and introduce membership schemes for specific areas of their grounds by the beginning of the 1987–88 season. The schemes will cover at least 50 per cent. of each ground's capacity as determined by the conditions of the ground's safety certificate.

A team of representatives comprising the League, the Football Trust and independent advisors will be available to help and assist those clubs in need of guidance.

The Football Association will automatically take account of club's local plans in any disciplinary hearing in the event of crowd disorder or violence.

The League, Football Association and the clubs, with advice from the local police, will consider the need for all ticket arrangements at particular matches.

The league will commission a study by independent consultants to report on the scope, costs and benefits/disadvantages of a reciprocal membership scheme embracing all 92 League clubs. The Association of Chief Police Officers has agreed to assist with and advise on this study.

As agreed, Football Trust grants will be made available to division three and four clubs for the installation of closed circuit television depending on the particular needs of individual clubs.

The League and the Football Association will support and promote the development of family enclosures and other initiatives designed to establish closer links between clubs and their communities.

This package reflects the determination of the Government, the police and the football authorities to work in partnership to tackle hooliganism in the interests of both public safety and the future wellbeing of the game.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to regulate car boot sales; and if he will make a statement.

Class IV.2 of the first schedule to the General Development Order 1977 gives permitted development rights for the use of land for markets for up to 14 days in total in any calendar year. Car boot sales benefit from this right. The local planning authority may make a direction under article 4 of the GDO withdrawing permitted development rights in any case in which it considers it expedient to do so. Specific planning permission would be required for development of the types specified in the direction and there may be a liability to pay compensation where subsequently planning permission is refused for such development. Directions which are to remain in force for more than six months require my right hon. Friend's confirmation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is available to him on the party political control of local authorities.

That available in publications such as the "Municipal Year Book" and the statistical digests of local authority election results published by Plymouth polytechnic, together with that gathered by the Department from the press and in the course of its normal dealings with local authorities. In addition, research on the political organisation of local authorities was carried out for the Widdicombe inquiry into the conduct of local authority business (see Cmnd. 9798, research volume 1).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many owner-occupiers in the southwest region live in houses designated under the Housing Defects Act.

[pursuant to his answer, 24 February 1987]: From local authorities' HIP returns and other reports, about 6,700 of these dwellings were in private ownership in the south-west region in April 1986.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish information on central Government expenditure on the urban development programme for all years since 1978–79, inclusive, aggregated for the standard United Kingdom regions, giving the information in absolute, indexed, and per capita forms.

[pursuant to his answer, 24 February 1987]: The information requested for the urban programme is as follows: